“Reflections on Reentry,” a podcast series produced by the Youth Reentry Training and Technical Assistance Center, features interviews with OJJDP grantees funded under the Second Chance Act Youth Reentry initiative. These programs serve system-involved young people, helping them transition from incarceration back to their communities. Several podcast episodes also include interviews with youth who share aspects of their personal reentry stories.
One young person, Emma, spent a little more than a year in a Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services residential program. During that time, Emma became a certified bicycle mechanic—and also discovered a love for welding.
“I think that passion is a huge driving factor for what makes someone grow,” Emma said on the podcast. “You don’t think you’ll fall in love with molten metal but it’s surprising, and the passion I found there has kind of overflowed into every area of my life.” Now a student in a welding program, Emma has also launched an independent graphic design company. “It’s really fun to take the drive that I learned and apply it everywhere.”
The “Reflections on Reentry” podcast series includes four episodes:
- John Dellick and Brittany Wiley from Youth MOVE National discuss the value of peer support during the reentry process—especially when provided by youth with lived experience in the juvenile justice system.
- Officials from the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services describe the continuum of intervention, supervision, and rehabilitation programs they provide to young people to help them prepare for life beyond detention.
- Amy Bradshaw Hoppock, vice president of Behavioral Health for AMIkids, discusses research exploring the role of family engagement in the long-term success of justice-involved youth.
- Youth for Change Director Sarah Feingold and Assistant Director Karen Eley discuss client-centered programming and the value of youth-led reentry planning.
Podcast episodes were led by Joe Williams and Heather Erwin, consultants from the Youth Reentry Training and Technical Assistance Center, which OJJDP funds. The center supports Second Chance Act Reentry program grantees and their efforts to develop and strengthen their skills, resources, processes, and programs.